HomeServiceChats, a Kansas City, Mo.-based professional web chat provider exclusively for the home service industry, has merged with Ruby Receptionists, based in Portland, Ore. Terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 2017, HomeServiceChats saw explosive growth in its first year, growing from six to 65 employees, which led to the company expanding its office by 10,000 feet in August 2018. As HomeServiceChats grew physically, the business continued to grow financially, as well, maintaining a growth of 15 percent per month with more half a million chat sessions served.

“HomeServiceChats grew quickly in part because we offered a valuable service to an underserved industry,” says Trevor Flannigan, COO of HomeServiceChats. “But it was more than that. We offered a human connection in a high-tech capacity. Consumers want on-demand service, but they also want to be able to connect with an actual person who can answer their questions and meet their need. Ruby Receptionists has built an amazing company by offering small businesses that same one-on-one experience, so our methodologies mesh quite well.”

CEO and founder Jill Nelson started Ruby Receptionists in 2003, which opened its third location in 2016. The company has been landed on Portland Business Journal’s list of “100 Fastest Growing Companies in Oregon” and was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces in 2017. Currently, Ruby Receptionists works more than 8,000 small businesses across the country.

“One of Ruby Receptionists’ core values is ‘create community,’” Flannigan says. “Each time they serve a business, they’re helping to connect them with potential customers, returning ones and even prospective employees in their community, and we strive to do the same at HomeServiceChats. This guiding principle is one of many values our companies share, and I believe that HomeServiceChats and Ruby Receptionists have an amazing partnership ahead.”